by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports

Defying reason, the pairing works, testing the patience of both player and coach.

"He's a character now," Thibodeau said of his diminutive, shot-happy backup guard. "I had a good understanding of who he is from my experience with him in Boston. You've got to take the whole package, and the good outweighs the bad."

Robinson accepts Thibodeau, the stern coach who seldom smiles in front of news reporters, for whom he is, too.

"Everybody knows coach is a drill sergeant. But he has a heart, somewhere in there. I know he does," Robinson said.

It was easy for both to find humor and joy in the player-coach relationship after Robinson saved the day for the Bulls Saturday afternoon.

Robinson scored 23 of his game-high 34 points in the fourth quarter, including 12 in the final three minutes of the fourth, as the Bulls rallied from a late 14-point deficit and defeated the Brooklyn Nets 142-134 in triple overtime Saturday.

His 34 points off the bench were the most by a reserve in a playoff game since Washington Wizards guard Juan Dixon scored 35 against the Bulls on May 2, 2005.

Robinson, who had five points at the end of third quarter, fell one point shy of tying Hall of Famer Michael Jordan's Bulls record for most points in the fourth quarter of a playoff game, set by Jordan against the Philadelphia 76ers on May 11, 1990.

Robinson was in the middle of the action all game, starting with a physical foul on Nets guard and former Bulls teammate C.J. Watson near the scorer's table at halfcourt in the second quarter. Robinson ran Watson into the scorer's table, and both players were separated by referees and teammates.

With 7:30 left in the fourth quarter, Nets forward Gerald Wallace set a hard but clean screen on Robinson, knocking Robinson to the floor. Listed generously at 5-9, Robinson picked himself up then lifted his teammates to an improbable victory and a 3-1 series lead against Brooklyn.

"I started off as a kid playing football, and those plays get you fired up," Robinson said. "(The screen) woke me up. As a tough player that I am, I'm going to continue to go as hard as I can for as long as I can."

Robinson described his demeanor: "I'm just a fierce competitor. I hate to lose. I love to win. I'm kind of selfish in a sense."

That hate-to-lose attitude propelled the Bulls when it looked like the series was headed back to Brooklyn tied at 2-2.

The Nets took a 109-95 lead with 3:45 left in the fourth quarter. Just about game over.

Then, the Nate Robinson Show began. With 2:53 left in the fourth, he made a three-pointer. For 102 seconds, the only points were produced by Robinson â?? 12 of them in a dizzying, exhilarating flash.

"That is what Nate's capable of," Nets interim coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "He's the guy who can change the game, an X factor. He has nights where he is going, and he is very difficult to defend."

After his three, he made a driving layup, a 16-foot jumper, three free throws and a 14-foot jumper. That Nets lead evaporated, and the Bulls trailed 109-107.

"It was big shot after big shot, but that's what he does," Thibodeau said. "That's what makes him so valuable. It doesn't take him much to get going. Once he gets going, he can have a great run. I thought he played with a lot of energy. â?¦ He played a great game."

During his scoring rampage, Robinson said he told Thibodeau not to call plays for him. "Just let the ball find me, and it worked," Robinson said.

But it was clear Robinson's teammates wanted to get the ball to him.

Robinson had four points in the first overtime and two points in the second overtime before fouling out with 1:06 left in the second overtime.

"He carried us," Bulls forward Carlos Boozer said.

Yes, the Thibodeau-Robinson union seemed odd when the Bulls signed him in late July. But as Thibodeau indicated, he knew Robinson from their days with the Celtics when Thibodeau was an assistant.

Robinson had some big moments for Celtics, but his offense-first mentality and defensive shortcomings frustrate coaches.

But the Bulls were in need of reserves having lost C.J. Watson, Omer Asik, Ronnie Brewer, Mike James, John Lucas and Kyle Korver in the offseason. Chicago needed to rebuild its bench, and Thibodeau wanted Robinson.

It worked for both Robinson and Thibodeau. Robinson played in all 82 regular-season games and averaged 13.1 points, 4.4 assists and 2.2 rebounds and shot 43.3%, including 40.5% on three-pointers.

"He's done great for us. He's had a lot of big moments," Thibodeau said. "We've needed his scoring. He's making plays better than he ever did. His defense is improving. He's had a terrific year for us."

Robinson compared his hot shooting to a video game.

"Me and (teammate) Rip Hamilton tease each other when we're shooting saying who's hotter," Robinson said. "I always think I'm on fire kind of like the old-school (video) game NBA Jam. You make a couple and the rim's on fire, the ball's on fire. I just feel like that at times.

"Well, all the time."

It's that kind of confidence that sometimes earns him a seat on the bench, too.

"I tease coach a lot. It seems like every shot I shoot, he's mad, regardless," Robinson said. "But at the same time, it's basketball. He does a great job putting us in position to be successful."

If Robinson loves to shoot and Thibodeau dislikes some of Robinson's shots, how did the two find common ground?

"Just keep shooting and hopefully you make them," Robinson said. "You've got to make them, and he really can't say too much."